With the buzz of alcohol and good food, the citizens of Rohan began the trek into their homes: women corralling their children and men tumbling over their feet as much as their words. Within their dear world, an elf in the blue dress overlooking the city went unnoticed. Within her little world, the moonlit night passed in quietness.
"You lingered out here alone?" a gentle voice calling from the door.
"There are few to do so in this late hour," Ela said. Her eyes refused to move from the rocky horizon.
"If one wishes to join you," Soft footfalls accompanying the voice came ever closer, step-by-step, until a shadowy figure stood beside her, "Will it impose upon you?"
Tossing back her head, a pleasant laugh emitted from her lips before she spoke: "The question is rhetorical if you planned to disregard my answer from the beginning."
"Because I already know it."
The moonlight gleamed down, tinkling in Legolas's brilliant eyes as he offered Elanorièl a closed-lipped smile. His gray cloak, clasped at the neck, covered much of his flaxen hair and clothes of green and blue. His arms were gently stretching towards her as he carefully placed her cloak around her shoulder.
"Diole lle."
"Seasamin," Legolas said, stepping to stand by her shoulder.
Elanorièl smiled as Legolas moved to stand beside her. Her thoughts turned his kindness as he had gone out of his way to retrieve it; a kind gesture genuinely appreciated. However, the cloak wasn't necessary as it provided her with little warmth. Despite snowy mountains or the little light, the chill in the air wouldn't disturb her tonight. Legolas' hand brushed against her fingers. The warm sensation was tickling her palm as she clasped her finger around his. Finger-by-finger, their hands interlaced together. His broad hand was gently squeezing her smaller one. Edoras before them looked ever peaceful in its sleep. Evil wouldn't linger in the dreams of men this night, but it would in theirs.
Some time had passed when Aragorn stepped out into the open night sky. Messing with his pipe, he glanced over his shoulder to see the two standing along the edge of the stone.
"The stars are veiled," Legolas spoke, disturbing the peace as Aragorn walked. "Something stirs in the east; A sleepless malice..."
Elanorièl squeezed Legolas' hand tighter.
"...The Eye of the enemy is moving."
Uncomfortable silence again came between them. With Aragorn to Legolas' left and Elanorièl to his right, the three stood side-by-side overlooking the city. Unmoving and unchanging until the wind picked up. The growl, as if made of fire itself, burned upon the alert ears of the elves. Its presence, so heavy, made Elanorièl gasp. The air sucked from her lungs.
"He is here," Legolas said with alarm in his voice, dropping Elanorièl's hand.
The three lunged into the hall. Throwing open doors and slamming against pillars, they dashed through the hallways. The echoes of their hurried feet drew attention as they ran. Aragorn threw open the door. There was Pippin, gripping a ball of flames, writhing in agony on the floor. Any pain he felt remained choked on in his throat. Aragorn lunged and grabbed the Palantir from Pippin. The same torment of Pippin overtook Aragorn; he fell back. Legolas scarcely caught Aragorn, but both fell to the floor, and the ball rolled out of his hands. Elanorièl was quick to fling a blanket over the ball, ceasing its movement.
Merry cried Pippin's name while Gandalf cursed his name. The words "Fool of a Took" fell deaf upon Pippin's ears. He laid frozen upon the floor: his face pale and his limbs rigid. Gandalf rushed to him, pushing Merry to the floor. Gandalf took ahold of Pippin's hand as his other hovered Pippin's forehead; he uttered to himself. Aragorn Legolas and Elanorièl shared a troubled glance.
Pippin gasped! His eyes flung open, shifting rapidly side-to-side as he regained his breath.
"Look at me," Gandalf said.
"Gandalf, forgive me," Pippin panted.
"Look at me! What did you see?"
"A tree. There was a white tree… in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning."
"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?"
Pippin's throat bobbed: "I saw… I saw him. I could hear his voice in my head."
"And what did you tell him? Speak!"
"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me."
"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?"
Pippin took a deep breath...
"There was no lie in Pippin's eye," Gandalf said to King Theoden, "A fool… but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."
The morning had come when they all gathered in the main hall before the King. Gandalf paced before the King on his dais. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli stood near the end of the firepit. Elanorièl and the Hobbits sat in an out-of-the-way corner of the hall.
"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. "
"There was no lie in Pippin's eye," Gandalf said to King Theoden, "A fool… but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."
The reactions among the room couldn't be more varied from another as Gandalf continued: "His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war. "
Theoden tilted his head, eyes following last: "Tell me… why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
"I will go," Aragorn said.
"No!" Gandalf countered.
"They must be warned."
"They will be," Gandalf said, moving closer to Aragorn, "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look for black ships."
Gandalf turned back to the others: "Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith...and I won't be going alone."
Pippin shrank as Gandalf's gaze fell upon him. Merry's gaze followed aw well.
"Elanorièl please?"
Elanorièl offered a curt nod to Gandalf before gently squeezing Pippin's shoulder. Pippin meekly rose to his feet. Elanorièl gently pushed Pippin from the hall with Merry close behind. After swift packing of his things and food, they made their way to the stables.
"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst," Gandalf shouted, "Hurry! Hurry!"
Elanorièl promptly gave the Hobbits a light nudge forward to follow the stomping wizard. All before Gandalf's path fled, fearful of his rage as he entered the building.
"Where are we going?" Pippin said.
"Why did you look?" Merry said, avoiding Pippin's question. "Why do you always have to look?"
"I don't know. I can't help it."
"You never can."
"I'm sorry, alright? I won't do it again."
Merry stopped. He paused, then twisted around to Pippin: "Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here."
"And you? Are you coming with me? Merry?!"
Merry walked into the stables without looking back.
"Is Merry mad at me too?"
"He is scared for you," Elanorièl said. Pippin looked up to her. His innocent eyes wide and glistening; his pitiful look made her heartache. Dropping to one knee, she placed her hands on his shoulders, offering him a gentle smile. "This is where I leave you but have hope. We will meet again."
"Come on," Merry called from the stables.
Elanorièl hugged Pippin and handed him his pack. She watched as he disappeared into the stable before making her way back up the Hill. She twisted back at the distinctive sound of a horse. Shadowfax burst through the stables, carrying Gandalf and Pippin with urgency. Merry ran behind them, and Aragorn followed. Legolas and Gimli joined her as they glimpsed the white figure disappear.
"Is your injury alright?" Legolas asked, having noticed Elanorièl rubbing her temple.
Legolas recalled the events of last night. After Pippin was cared for, only then did it dawn on him where they were at, and Elanorièl took notice too. They were in the men's sleeping quarters. All around her were men in the sleeping clothes: most covered fully, some in floor-long tunics, but most wore only pants. In Elanorièl's frantic rush to flee the room, the gaping door was unseen until her head struck against the wood. The echo reverberated in the room. Elanorièl left without a word, a hand nursing the bump.
She gave a light groan as she, too, recalled last night's advents.
"You experience nothing worse, for none in the room were fully unclothed," Legolas said as he gently caressed her back.
"Indeed, I have…" Elanorièl mumbled her words.
"What?" Legolas furrowed his brows, aiming his anxious gaze at her. Her face burning, trying to evade his eyes in the morning sun. "It is not like you've seen a dwarf naked…?"
The laugh he uttered lacked its usual mirth. Instead, it was hesitant as if trying to break the awkwardness about them. Still, Elanorièl refused to suffer his eyes.
"Thirteen…" Elanorièl said before walking away.
"What?!"
Diole lle= Thank you
Seasamin= My pleasure